Dubai’s financial regulator has banned the use of privacy cryptocurrencies, including Monero and Zcash. As of January 12, new rules governing digital assets came into force in the emirate’s international financial zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), CoinDesk reported.
According to the regulators’ proposal, broker-dealers are required to obtain a license to provide services for trading crypto assets. The license also applies to over-the-counter cryptocurrency operations. The need to obtain permission will equate crypto dealers with traditional brokers, who are required to comply with securities laws.
In January 2023, officials of the Federal Reserve System (Fed) prohibited federal banks and regional uninsured banks from providing services related to digital assets, citing the high risks posed by virtual currencies. However, nearly three years later, officials decided to abolish this restriction, allegedly due to the progress achieved in the development of cryptocurrency products and services.
France could become the first European country to officially include Bitcoin in its national reserves. According to the bill presented today to parliament by the Union de la Droite Républicaine (UDR) party, led by Éric Ciotti, the government would establish a public administrative agency (EPA) to manage the strategic Bitcoin stockpile.
British Columbia has made a long-term decision to ban new cryptocurrency mining projects. The province will redirect clean electricity toward industries that create more jobs and drive economic growth.The measure aims to preserve energy resources and maximize public benefit from their use.
The Polish parliament has passed a law on cryptocurrencies. The new legislation has been criticized for excessive regulation of the market. Industry representatives warn that the new rules and high costs will lead to an outflow of crypto businesses.
The AMF President Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani explained that companies dealing with digital assets choose countries with more lenient standards to obtain licenses in order to operate across Europe.
According to a government decree, only local companies are allowed to launch trading platforms and issue tokens. Issuance, trading, and settlements must be carried out exclusively in dong, Vietnam’s national currency.
Official approval for the blockchain prediction platform Polymarket became possible thanks to the company’s acquisition of the regulated derivatives exchange QCX for $112 million. Polymarket is using QCX and QC Clearing’s licenses to return to the U.S. market.
The law enforcement operation was carried out in the second half of 2024. For confidentiality reasons, investigative actions were conducted without public statements.
The shift in approach will pave the way for the launch of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for bitcoin and other digital assets, as cryptocurrencies will be reclassified under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
The license will allow the exchange to offer digital asset services, including tokens and stablecoins, across the entire European Economic Area in accordance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
South Korea is introducing measures to regulate its domestic stablecoin market. The country’s main financial regulator — the Financial Services Commission (FSC) — plans to publish a new law in October 2025 focused on stablecoins pegged to the won. The law will serve as a supplement to the Act on the Protection of Virtual Asset Users.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the US government holds a relatively small amount of Bitcoin (BTC), valued between $15 billion and $20 billion — significantly less than previous estimates of $23 billion.
Bitcoin rose on Monday, extending its strong rebound from the end of last week as crypto markets welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order allowing pension funds to invest in the sector.
Europeans can now buy luxury Ferrari cars using Bitcoin, XRP, and other popular cryptocurrencies.
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